Encountering Jesus Final

Josephus, a Jewish priest, historian, and (later) general on the side of the Romans, who lived in the 1st century, wrote about Jesus:

true

The authors of 1 John & 2 Peter in the NT insisted that they were witnesses to the fact that Jesus actually lived, since they had seen, heard, and/or touched him:

true

We do not know precisely on which day Jesus was born:

true

According to the class presentations, the Magi worshipped Jesus as King of the Jews:

true

According to the PowerPoint presentation, the Christmas carol "We Three Kings of the Orient Are" is incorrect in asserting that the Magi were kings from the East:

true

According to class presentations, Mary most likely rode a donkey the entire way to Bethlehem:

false

1. According to the Gospel of Luke, Joseph and Mary went to the inn to find room to stay in, but the innkeeper told them there was no vacancy

false

1. Mangers were typically made out of stone:

true

All of the evidence in the New Testament (NT) points towards Jesus being unmarried:

true

The baptism that John the Baptist was engaged in was inseparable from repentance:

true

According to Stein, it was possible for Jesus to actually sin when he was tempted by Satan:

true

Parables are only found in the New Testament:

false

1. Jesus was not the only one who spoke in parables:

true

1. Jesus's parables subverted and broke conventional pieties and made things harder for the people:

true

1. The parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus is a kind of "comic eschatology.":

true

1. The parable of the Prodigal Son should better be called something like the parable of the Father and his Two Sons:

true

1. The disciples of Jesus that are always listed in the same position in all NT lists of disciples are Peter, Philip, and James of Alphaeus:

true

According to Stein, shepherds—like the ones who saw Jesus after his birth—were generally considered dishonest:

true

The most frequent argument raised against the virginal conception of Jesus (i.e., him being born of a virgin) is that it is not scientific. Historical?:

False

1. According to Stein, it appears that sometime between the incident of the twelve- year-old Jesus in the temple and the beginning of Jesus's ministry, Joseph died:

true

Stein concludes that it is a fact that John the Baptist had been a member of the Jewish community at Qumran and had borrowed his teachings and practices from them:

false

1. John is a synoptic gospel:

false

1. Jesus stated that "your righteousness must exceed that of the scribes and the Pharisees.":

true

1. The "dos and don'ts" of religion are called aggadah in Judaism:

false

Beliefs and lore, derived from narratives, are called halakhah in Judaism:

false

Which of the following groups was the main one that Jesus had encounters with in his ministry?

pharisees

Which of the following groups was located mostly in and around Jerusalem, the capital of Judea?

Sadducees

Which of the following groups was mostly located at Qumran, on the northwest shore of the Dead Sea?

essenes

Which of the following was ruling when Jesus was born, was a great builder, but was one who killed members of his family because of his paranoia?

herod the great

From your reading, the story of the wise men from the east who came to Jesus when he was an infant, bringing gifts to him, is found in which gospel?

matthew

1. From your reading, the story of the shepherds who, while watching their sheep, encountered an angel and came to Jesus soon after his birth in Bethlehem, is found in which gospel?

luke

1. According to Christian tradition, which group of people showed up with the Magi (or, Wise Men) to see the infant Jesus?

shepards

1. Who asserted that Jesus's "brothers and sisters" were actually his younger brothers and sisters (as opposed to step-siblings or cousins)?  

helvidius

1. At which river did John do most of his baptizing?

Jordan

1. John the Baptist wore clothing like which prophet?

Elijah

Which of the following NT gospels does not indicate how many temptations Jesus faced in the wilderness but instead indicates that the wild beasts were with him and that angels ministered to him when he was tempted by Satan?

Mark

1. What was the first thing Matthew listed when summarizing what Jesus did in his ministry?

Teaching

1. The gospel that contains the "Sermon on the Mount" is:

matthew

The gospel that contains the "Sermon on the Plain" is:

Luke

1. According to the gospels, when Jesus spoke to the crowds, he said nothing to them without:

   1. asking a question

   2. responding in anger to their sinfulness

   3. praying to God first

   4. singing a song first

   5. None of the above

None of the above

1. Of Matthew's five major discourses of Jesus, what was the focus of the central one?

parables

1. Which of the following defines the bold-underlined material at the end of the quoted parable? as it is said: 'And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood... and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone'" (Ezek. 38:22).

Proof text

1. Which of the following defines the simple underlined material at the beginning of the quoted parable? "And the Egyptians fled against it" (Exod. 14:27). This teaches that in whatever direction an Egyptian fled, the sea would be rushing against him.”

Illustrand

1. Which of the following defines the double-underlined material? “A parable. What is the matter like?”  

Introductory formula

1. Which of the following defines the dotted-underlined material at the end of the quoted parable? “It is like a dove that flees from a hawk and enters the palace of the king. The king opens the castle window for her, and she goes out and flies away. When the hawk, pursuing her, enters the palace, the king shuts all the windows and begins shooting arrows at her.”

Parable proper

Which of the following defines the wavy-underlined material at the end of the quoted parable? “Even so, when the last of the Israelites came out of the sea, the last of the pursuing Egyptians entered into the bed of the sea. The ministering angels then began hurling at them arrows, great hailstones, fire, and brimstone”

Application

1. Why did the father in the Parable of the "Prodigal Son" run to his son when the son returned home?

Because he had to get to his son before the rest of the people in town beat him up 

1. The primary reason Jesus told the parable of the "Prodigal Son" was because:

The religious leaders were grumbling about Jesus associating with tax collectors and sinners.

1. The Parable of the Widow and the Judge uses terminology from which of the following sports?

boxing

1. According to Stein, which of the following suggests that Jesus was born into a poor family? 

   1. Jesus' burial in another man's tomb.

   2. The sacrifice offered for Mary's purification after giving birth

   3. Jesus's ease with and concern for the poor 

   4. all the above

all the above

1. According to Stein, why might Luke have placed the specific temptation of Jesus by Satan on the pinnacle of the temple last instead of second in the series of three temptations?

He had a special interest in Jerusalem and the temple and so placed it third for emphasis.

1. Who were the sicarii?

Zealot assassins who killed those who opposed their revolutionary aspirations with daggers 

1. Which disciples of Jesus were known as the "sons of thunder"?

James and John

1. Which of the following activities of Jesus matched that of Jewish rabbis?

   1. He gathered disciples

   2. He proclaimed the divine law

   3. He taught in the synagogues 

   4. all the above

all the above

1. Stein concludes that Jesus had great success as a teacher because of which of the following?

   1. His personality

   2. The voice of prophecy was being heard once again with him after 400 years of nothing

   3. Jesus taught in an exciting manner

   4. all the above

all the above

What word did Jesus use most often to refer to God instead of the typical words used to refer to or describe God?

Abba

Stein notes that the people were astounded by the teaching of Jesus. For what reason?

He taught them as one having authority, not as their scribes.

1. An "eye for an eye" or "tooth for a tooth" law is known as:

Lex talionis

The only official day of fasting in Judaism in the time of Jesus was on which of the following days?

Day of Atonement

Which was Jesus's favorite way of describing his person and work? It is the most important self- designation of Jesus.

Son of man

What were followers of Jesus first called (before they were called "Christians")? This designation is found several times in the book of Acts. The way

The way

1. King Herod the Great issued an order to kill all of the children who were how old and younger (list the maximum age)?

2 years old

1. How many days did Jesus fast before Satan appeared to him?

40

1. At Jesus's baptism, the Holy Spirit descended upon him like which creature?

Dove

According to Scripture, John the Baptist ate a diet of locusts and what else?

honey

1. According to the PowerPoint presentation, how much of Jesus' teaching was in parables (write a fraction)?

1/3

1. What was the special number repeated three times that was associated with Jesus' genealogy?

14

1. Who initially preached "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand," and "Who told you to flee from the wrath to come"? John the baptist

1. How many major discourses of Jesus' teaching does the Gospel of Matthew contain?

5

1. According to Stein, what miracle lies at the very heart of the Christian faith and message?

Jesus resurrection

1. Most NT scholars believe which NT gospel was written first?

Mark

1. According to Stein, what is the most important apocryphal/gospel (i.e., one not in the NT)? Leviticus, John.

Thomas

1. According to Stein, when one wants to know how long Jesus's ministry was, one typically turns to which gospel?

John

1. How many distinct Passover observances does the gospel of John refer to with regards to the time of Jesus's ministry?

3

1. Instead of "miracles," what word does John use instead?

Signs

1. Who did the disciples indicate people thought Jesus was? What might cause them to think in these ways?

They thought Jesus was John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the prophets, because his miracles & preaching reminded them of OT prophets.

1. What is the best piece of evidence that Mark did not reject Jesus being understood as the Messiah?

Mark records Peter clearly confessing that Jesus is the Messiah, showing Mark accepted that title.

1. What did Jesus begin to teach his disciples following Peter’s declaration of who they believed he was?

Jesus began teaching them that the Son of Man would suffer, be rejected, die, and rise again.

What three things did Mark arrange in sets of three?

Mark arranged three predictions of Jesus’ death, three misunderstandings by the disciples, and three teachings about true discipleship.

1. Despite Peter’s recognition of who Jesus was, what was so flawed about his understanding?

Peter understood Jesus was the Messiah, but he did not understand that the Messiah had to suffer and die.

Understand the key points Stein makes about the interpretation of “You are Peter and on this rock. . . .”

Stein explains that the “rock” refers to Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Messiah, not Peter himself as the foundation.

What textual evidence supports the contention that it was not Peter alone who was given the “keys” and the ability to “bind and loose”?

In Matthew 18:18, Jesus gives the authority to bind and loose to all the disciples, not just Peter.

1. The transfiguration of Jesus was connected to events at which locale?

It was connected to the events at Caesarea Philippi, where Peter declared Jesus as the Messiah.

1. What are the possible mountains on which the transfiguration took place? Which one does Stein believe is the best suggestion?

Possible locations include Mount Tabor and Mount Hermon which Stein suggests is most likely.

Who did Jesus take with him on his trip up the mountain?

Jesus took Peter, James, and John.

1. What happened to Jesus on the mountain?

Jesus was transfigured, and his appearance became radiant and glorious.

The transfiguration of Jesus was a glimpse of what in the future?

It was a preview of Jesus’ future glory, especially connected to his resurrection and second coming.

Who appeared with Jesus?

Moses and Elijah appeared with him.

1. What was wrong about Peter’s suggestion to make three tabernacles equally for Jesus, Moses, and Elijah? How did the Voice from heaven attempt to correct this misunderstanding?

Peter treated Jesus as equal to Moses and Elijah, but the voice from heaven said “This is my Son… listen to him,” showing Jesus is greater.

In what way(s) was the message to “Listen to him” a rebuke of Peter and the disciples?

It rebuked them because they were not accepting Jesus’ teaching about his coming suffering and death.

In what way was the transfiguration a ratification of what happened at Caesarea Philippi?

It confirmed that Jesus truly is the Messiah and Son of God, supporting Peter’s confession.

1. After Jesus’ transfiguration, in which direction did Jesus head? Why?

Jesus headed toward Jerusalem because it was where his suffering, death, and mission would be fulfilled.

1. Why does Stein believe that Jesus had pre-arranged having a colt ready for him to use, as opposed to having supernatural foreknowledge of an available, unridden colt?

Stein suggests Jesus may have planned it with someone ahead of time because he was familiar with the area and had supporters there.

If Stein’s hypothesis is true, what does that say about Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem?

It shows the entry was intentional and symbolic, meaning Jesus purposely acted out a message about his identity.

1. What were palm tree branches a symbol of?

Palm branches were a symbol of victory, celebration, and Jewish nationalism.

1. Why were the Romans not concerned when shouts of “Hosanna” greeted Jesus?

The Romans likely did not understand the religious meaning and did not see it as an immediate political threat.

How did most of the crowd understand the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem?

Many believed Jesus might be a political Messiah who would free Israel.

1. In what sense does Stein indicate that Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem was a parabolic act?

It was a symbolic action that communicated a message, showing Jesus entering as the humble Messiah fulfilling prophecy.

Why was Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem never brought up at his later trial?

It likely did not provide clear evidence of political rebellion, so it was not useful for accusing him.

1. What event is the cleansing of the temple associated with in the synoptic gospels?

It is connected with Jesus’ final week in Jerusalem after his triumphal entry.